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Wales Online
Wales Online
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Mark Orders

Cardiff Blues linked with ANOTHER Ospreys player as they seek to fill Gareth Anscombe void

Luke Price is interesting Cardiff Blues as they look to fill the gap in their squad left by Gareth Anscombe’s defection to the Ospreys.

The 23-year-old fly-half is out of contract at the Liberty Stadium this summer after completion of a two-year deal.  

The Blues are believed to be monitoring his situation after Anscombe’s high-profile decision to head west.

Price has emerged from the shadows at the Ospreys this season and started the last three matches. The Llandarcy-based region like his understated solidity, but contract negotiations appear to have hit a bump.

Wales Grand Slam winner set to be offered deal to switch between Ospreys and Cardiff Blues  

What makes him potentially attractive to the Blues is the likelihood is he will be around during Test windows.

Jarrod Evans might be needed by Wales during World Cup year and, while Matthew Morgan can switch from full-back to No. 10 if required, the Arms Park region might feel they need a another specialist in such a key position.

Talks are ongoing between the Ospreys and Sam Davies about whether he will stay in Swansea.  

Sam Davies of Ospreys spins out a long pass to George North (Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency)

The Ospreys haven’t given up hope of retaining the former junior world player of the year, despite well-documented interest from the Dragons and beyond.

What they wouldn’t want is to start next season minus both Price and Davies.

How the Ospreys revealed Gareth Anscombe's signing

Nor would they would want to see Nicky Smith depart the Liberty.

The Wales prop has a queue of clubs chasing him as he heads for the end of his Ospreys contract.

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Sale are said to be making a strong play, with Gloucester and Newcastle also in the running, while in Wales, Cardiff Blues and the Dragons are contenders.

Wales prop Nicky Smith is a target of the Blues (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Chief executive Richard Holland has told WalesOnline: "The front five is an area that we are looking to strengthen for next season.

"Nicky is a quality international prop and he is someone our rugby department are looking at closely."

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Under the rule that prevents exiled players from playing for Wales unless they have 60 or more caps, Smith needs to sign for a Welsh club to continue his burgeoning Test career.

The dynamic front rower would be quite some signing for the Blues, a potential score-settler after Anscombe's decision to head across the M4.

Why Cardiff Blues must drop Gareth Anscombe for Ospreys clash - by the man who experienced the same awkward situation  

He would also help the capital club replenish their front-row stocks after the decision of Rhys Carre to head Saracens.

But the Ospreys want to keep him and are doing what they can to retain one of their prize assets.

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